Press Releases

Pristina, April 26, 2016 – The U.S. Agency for International Development launched the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund (KCGF) at a ceremony organized today. The event marks the establishment of an independent, local, and sustainable institution that will issue partial loan guarantees to financial institutions thereby increasing access to finance for the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kosovo and promoting private sector development.

“This Fund is an important opportunity to address one of the key constraints to sustained economic growth in Kosovo -- the lack of access to finance and credit for Kosovo’s businesses. The Fund will help small and medium enterprises obtain much-needed financing from financial institutions and most importantly, we expect the Fund will facilitate $400 million in increased lending and 20,000 new jobs in the next 6 years, “ said U.S. Ambassador Greg Delawie in his opening remarks joined by the Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa, Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli, German Ambassador to Kosovo Angelika Viets, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Kosovo Bedri Hamza.

Gjakovë/Djakovica, April 16. Today, USAID Mission Director Maureen A. Shauket and U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Jennifer Bachus joined the President of the Republic of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga, and Mayor of Gjakovë/Djakovica Mimoza Kusari-Lila to launch the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Kosovo [http://www.usaid.gov/kosovo/history].

The U.S. Agency for International Development Mission in Kosovo is launching a new program to address the business environment in Kosovo. Partnerships for Development is a four-year activity that aims to enhance the enabling environment for Kosovo’s private sector to expand employment opportunities for the country’s citizens. The program works in partnership with the government and other partners to support Kosovo’s vision for economic growth by strengthening its institutions.

On Friday, Maureen A. Shauket, USAID/Kosovo Mission Director visited a celebration activity for International Mother Language Day at the “Green School” in Pristina. USAID’s Basic Education Program invited teachers and students of different communities from Kosovo to create together an e-book in their mother tongues. The activity took place inside the “21st century classroom” which was created with USAID support.

Yesterday, the municipality of Štrpce/Shtërpcë held a donor’s conference to draw attention to a unique opportunity for expanding agricultural production in the region to include more “soft fruits” like raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries. USAID has supported soft fruit farmers in the Štrpce/Shtërpcë region through its New Opportunities for Agriculture (NOA) program and has seen great success there to date.

On Friday, a new kindergarten was inaugurated in Baje village - the first of many Government–to-Government (G2G) activities to be developed between USAID and Kosovo’s local and central government institutions.

A new program launching this month will provide educational opportunities for hundreds of Kosovo’s rising leaders through scholarships, partnerships, and exchanges with American universities. The United States Agency for Development (USAID) is in the process of procuring services to implement the Transformational Leadership Scholarships and Partnerships Program, a five-year program that aims to further develop a professional cadre of leaders who can drive significant economic, political, and social development in Kosovo.

On January 9, 2014, the Viti/Vitina Branch Court hosted a celebration to inaugurate its newly refurbished court building. The court renovations were supported by USAID in cooperation with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC). The ceremony was officiated by USAID Mission Director Maureen A. Shauket, KJC representative Agim Maliqi, and Gjilan/Gnjilane Basic Court President Zyhdi Haziri.

Today, USAID Mission Director Maureen A. Shauket and President of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Valdete Daka signed a Memorandum of Understanding today in Pristina. The Memorandum of Understanding outlines USAID’s assistance to the CEC in conducting training for CEC members and the Secretariat of the Central Election Commission (CECS), as well as providing active procedural support, advice, and technical assistance in the field during elections.